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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
July 28, 2026
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday July 28, 2026, at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:
Jim Candelaria, Chairman
Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman
Gerald Koppenhafer, Commissioner of Deeds
It Director, Jim McClain
Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney
Kim Percell, County Clerk
CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of July 28, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would convene as the Board of Health
BOARD OF COUNTY HEALTH: Public Health Director Bobbi Lock, along with Linda Hill Environmental Health Specialist, met with the Commissioners to discuss a possible unpermitted OWTS violation on property located at 9506 Road 29.1 Cortez CO. 81321. Property owner Nicie Phillips was present. Commissioner Lindsay moved to continue this until September 15th, and review at that point and time. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners
MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the meeting Montezuma County Board of Commissioners for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.
Deletions / Changes to Agenda:
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments were made by Allen Maez and Glen Brace.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
The Consent Agenda items acted upon by the Board were as follows:
Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:
SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell presented for approval a Special Event Permit application from the National Mustang Association INC, event located at 19245 Road X, Lewis CO. 81327. The event is scheduled for September 26, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the application for a Special Events permit for the National Mustang Association Inc., event to be held at 19245 County Road X, on 9/26. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell reported that the Special Event Permit application from the Cancer Resource Alliance has been postponed to August 4, 2026.
DISCUSSION: Finance Manager Robert Dobry met with the Commissioners to present the 2025 Financial Audit for approval. Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the audit for Montezuma County for the year 2025. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
RESOLUTION: Resolution 8-2026 a resolution on a forensic audit of timekeeping practices at the Sheriff’s Office was presented for approval. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Resolution #8-2026, a resolution on a forensic audit of timekeeping practices at the Sheriff’s Office. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski, Topics discussed within the Attorney’s report included, the Leaf Properties / Dollar Store appeal, a review of the current Land Use Code and the Ironwood Property case.
COUNTY ADINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrative reports will be included in the weekly Commissioner reports.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Clerk & Recorder Kim Percell no report given.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:
Commissioner Lindsay mentioned the County Fair and the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting.
Commissioner Koppenhafer reported on the attended Mancos Town meeting, damage received throughout the County from the recent storm and reported on the attended Traveling Town Hall meeting.
Commissioner Candelaria reported that administratively it was business as normal. The Commissioner report included the attended NACO Conference, engagement, conversations had at the attended Mancos Days event and invited the public to the County Fair.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: The Montezuma County Social Services Record of Proceedings and reports.
ADJOURNED: 9:40 a.m.
Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would convene as the Board of Equalization.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
1:30 P.M.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION; It being the time set aside the Board of County Commissioners convened to sit as the Board of Equalization to hear the following appeal: The proceedings were recorded for the record.
The appeal is from Villarreal Revocable Trust, on account number R000772. The petitioners, Mr. & Mrs. Villarreal were present. The Villarreal’s gave an overview of the appeal. Assessor, Leslie Kennedy-Bugg discussed the petition for appeal and the process of valuation of said land. The Assessor valuation of the property was $556,922.00. After hearing the evidence presented, Commissioners Lindsay moved that the valuation stand. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
ADJOURNED: 2:22 p.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk July 28, 2026 Chairman
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